Christmases Past

I am so excited for Christmas this year.  I have been busy trying to decorate our house while trying to collect decorations for the homeless shelter.  Our youth went to the shelter last night and decked the place out.  I am so glad it is over so I can concentrate on finishing up our decorations.  I love Christmas and want to make lots of memories with my kiddies this year. 

We are starting off the season this evening with a holiday band concert.  Ryan's first playing the trumpet.  Should be interesting.

I was going through old pictures on the computer and thought it would be fun to show some of my favorite pics for Christmases past.

 Awesome!  This one cracks me up.  Chloe was so not wanting to sit on Santa's lap.

How time flies.

ELEVEN

Eleven years of joy and laughter.
Eleven years of wonderment.
Eleven years of stories.
Eleven years of jokes.
Eleven years of "guess whats".
Eleven years of parenthood.
Eleven years of gratitude.
Eleven years since our first son was born.

Ryan John Burton

In the last eleven years our little butter ball has turned into such a handsome guy.  I must say this last year I have felt so much pride as I have watched him transform into a young man.  A young man with values and character.  He is such a good person.  Kind, compassionate, honest, helpful and a total goof ball.  I love you Ry-guy.

Here are a few recent pictures, since I haven't updated in so long.

 First day of school - 5th grade.  Ryan is a very good student.  He is very smart and he loves school.

 Ryan's first year of tackle football.  His team is the Grizzlies.  He loves it and had lots of fun.

 Ryan and his friends at his Arrow of Light ceremony.
He went above and beyond and earned all twenty activity badges.  He enjoys going to scouts with his friends.

Funny things kids say

Evan says the funniest things sometimes.  Since I haven't posted in so long I thought I would share one that cracked me up today.  I guess I should preface this by telling you, albeit embarrassing, that Evan burps all the time.  Some real, some fake.  He thinks it's hilarious.

Me:  "Evan, why do you burp so much?  It's disgusting."

Evan:  "I don't know, Jesus just made me that way."

What do you say to that???

Boot Camp

Ryan has just been initiated into what John calls, "two a days".  Two practices a day, two hours of football in the morning and two hours of football at night, five days a week.  Intense.  Especially for a ten year old.  This is his first year playing tackle football.  He played flag the last two yeas.  Yesterday was his first day of practice.  They were told for the next two weeks they will be "conditioning".  They also told them to "please not quit.  It will eventually be fun."  They just needed to get through conditioning.  1.5 days down, 8.5 to go.  Hope he makes it through with a good attitude intact.  In the morning he is at the high school doing a camp.  Which he loves.  In the evening he has practice with his team, the Grizzlies.  This is where Ryan thinks they are trying to kill him.  Running.  Sit-ups.  Push-ups.  Jumping jacks.  Drills.  Repeat.  It's good for him.  Right?

Chloe's Second Birthday!

It is hard to believe that my baby is two years old.  She is becoming so independant, which is a blessing and a curse.  Honestly, mostly a curse at this point.  She is very obstinate.  I have no idea where she gets that from. 

Here is what we did for her birthday.

Anxiously waited all day long to open presents until Daddy got home.

Talked to Grandpa and Grandma Young on the phone.

Had some good times at Chuckee Cheese . . .

. . . and some not so good times.

My attempt at a flower cake.

Chloe trying to "spit" out her candles.  Hilarious, but not effective.

Enjoying the goodness that is frosting.

And at long last, able to open her presents.  The big one is a refrigerator to go with the kitchen she got for Christmas.  Evan loves it way more than she does.

Happy birthday my brown eyed beauty.

Happy St. Paddys Day!

Evan's Birthday

I can't believe that four years have come and gone so quickly.  Evan is such a big boy now.  He is becoming so independent.  He loves to do everything his big brother is doing and follows Ryan wherever he goes.  He loves to "fight", what he calls wrestling around.  He is 150% all boy.  He is as rough and tough as they come.

He was so excited for his birthday.  I think the day after Christmas he started asking me, almost daily, when it was going to be his birthday.  Boy, now what is he going to look forward to?

Evan got pancakes for his birthday breakfast.  He only ate the letter "A".  He isn't a big eater.

Evan wanted a motorcycle cake so bad.  This is what I came up with.  He loved it.  He kept going to look at it, but when the time came he didn't want to eat any of it.  He just wanted ice cream.

Chloe liked the ice cream too.